Consistency has been key for the Gym Devils this season, and they did just that scoring a 195-plus for the third week in a row, yet they still fell to No. 12 Oregon State 196.300-195.450.
The Beavers sailed to victory off a strong all-around performance from senior Makayla Stambaugh who scored a 39.425 to take the all around and tied her career high on bars with a 9.95.
Solid performances throughout the team secured the victory for Oregon State. It had no score below a 9.65 besides a fall from Melanie Jones on beam that was dropped.
Even with the third straight loss, Coach John Spini is happy with where his team is.
“We’re staying right steady, now we just have to get to that next level,” Spini said.
Grad student Kahoku Palafox is also pleased, seeing something in this team she hasn’t seen in awhile
“This is my fifth year and we’ve had some great teams in the past but none this consistent,” Palafox said. “So it’s been amazing to have that good of a score for this many meets so far.”
A new dismount from Palafox earned her a 9.825- ASU’s highest score and a tie for the second highest in the meet.
Why the change?
“I only get to do this a few more times before, you know, I’m done so why not?” Palafox said.
Senior Amelia Rew had a good night after losing her spot in the previous meet, Rew led the Sun Devils on bars and earned a 9.7.
“It felt really good to be there for my team and just get my confidence back and just have another great night,” Rew said. “Our team is just so much more consistent than previous years it’s a lot of fun to be a senior.”
Rew also competed in exhibition on beam that earned a 9.7 as well.
“Being a senior, I just want to take advantage of all the opportunities to perform,” Rew said. “And hitting in front of the home crowd — it’s fun.”
It’s the freshmen who continue to shine for ASU. A career high of 9.85 for Erin Hamister on vault rejuvenated the vault lineup and two more 9.85s followed from Freshman Carissa Kraus and Sophomore Natasha Sundby.
Freshman Stephanie Miceli took second place in the competition on beam with a 9.825 and came up with the same score during her floor routine after not competing in the event since the first meet.
Floor was a bright spot for the Sun Devils despite a fall from Risa Perez on her first pass for the third week in a row.
“We’re really focused on it right now, Spini said. “We’re trying to focus on it, but not dwell on it, because our floor is so stunning, and she’s a crowd-pleaser. But we got to figure out whether to work on that pass a little harder or make a change there. That’s something we’re going to really attack this week.”
ASU finished strong with its highest score of the night on floor and the event title going to sophomore Brianna Gades.
“Brie is beautiful,” Spini said. “Just very dramatic, classical, good lines, you watch her and you go, Wow. She’s just flawless.”
ASU’s next meet will be at Stanford on Friday the Feb. 15 and broadcast on the Pac-12 Network.
Reach the reporter at mklau@asu.edu.
